Mrs Greenwood said that confusion about the transfer between benefit systems was causing real concern for families, and leaving some facing “hunger and destitution”.

Esther McVey MP, Work and Pensions Secretary, said that the rollout of Universal Credit would continue.

She said: “We will make sure we get this benefit right. You know for why? Because the genuine concerns of the people on our backbenches want to get it right.”

She added that disabled households would be £110 better off through Universal Credit, as she defended the Government’s approach.

Across Great Britain, more than 600,000 people have so far been moved to the new system, the majority of whom are not working.

The Church of England has also joined calls for reform of Universal Credit, saying the impact of the changes can be seen at its food banks across the country.

The Right Reverend Paul Butler, the Bishop of Durham and the church lead on welfare issues, said the Government must make a long-term commitment to making sure the flagship system would allow recipients to feed themselves and their families properly.

He said: “We need urgent action to improve the flexibility and support for people on Universal Credit, and a long-term commitment that the social security system will provide enough income for them to afford to feed themselves and their families properly.

“Without such action, we can expect to see more and more people turning to food banks and becoming trapped in poverty.

“The problems we are seeing with Universal Credit at church-run food banks across the country must be resolved before many more people are moved on to the new benefit.”

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